Tomie Posted August 23, 2023 Posted August 23, 2023 Hello everyone, You can see the title to get an idea of where I've been. I've gone off cold turkey on escitalopram at least three times now. Currently almost a month out from going off of escitalopram again now. Most of the acute withdrawal has subsided but I've noticed when the brain zaps and light headedness occur it's usually late afternoon/evening. I did a little reading that suggested serotonin gets lower in the evening as it's being converted to melatonin for sleep. Has anyone else had this issue? Currently do not have a plan for tapering my clonazepam use. I'm on .5mg twice a day but I plan to wait until im fully recovered from the escitalopram withdrawal. Would be happy to hear from anyone who has dealt with both ssri withdrawal and benzo withdrawal and how you approached it. Thanks for your time. 2005 - first time on Escitalopram 10mg 2006-2008 - was given lorazepam and clonazepam for the first time 2008-2015 - on and off the escitalopram and clonazepam a few times 2015-2023 - on escitalopram 10mg and then 5mg continually and then back to 10mg for 6 months. Clonazepam dose fluctuated from over 4mg/day down to 0.5mg/day. Currently - Went cold turkey off escitalopram August 10th. Still on 0.5mg Clonazepam twice daily.
Mentor Catina7 Posted August 24, 2023 Mentor Posted August 24, 2023 Hello @Tomie and welcome! We are happy to have you here. 🙂 Please summarize your drug history by making a "signature" in your profile: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/28240-how-to-summarize-your-drug-history-in-your-signature/. This will help us to get a complete picture of your drug history so we can help you the best! Here are some links to get you started on some of the things you're dealing with: Brain Zaps Dizziness, Vertigo, Light-HeadednessThe Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take? Benzo Tapering and Recovery I'm glad to hear you're waiting to be fully recovered from your first withdrawal before attempting the benzo. Slow and steady wins the race as they say! We look forward to helping you on your healing journey! 🌹 Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed with horrific symptoms. Went back up to 37.5 mg but kindled myself 2024 (Avg. bead count per capsule is 111): 1/1: -6 | 2/1: -11 | 3/1: -16 | 4/1: -18 | 5/1: -21 | 6/1 -25 | 7/1 HOLD | 8/1 -29 | 9/7 -33 | 10/7 HOLD | Nov. HOLD. | Dec. 1 -34 Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 50 mcg (as of Nov. 2024) Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Never give up Holding On with Patience & Endurance
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